Hail in the Medoc ruins crops

Violent hail storms across southwest France have caused extensive damage to vineyards in the northern Medoc region of Bordeaux. Many producers in Bordeaux have been crossing their fingers for a good crop this year, after bad weather in 2013 led to the region’s smallest harvest for 22 years. The hail storms this year came at the crucial vine flowering period. Chateau Preuillac, has lost up to 80% of its vines in the storms and are not confident that the vines will recover for the 2014 vintage. 'It's bad news, but that's nature,' the owner said. Around 500 hectares of vines are thought to have been at least partially damaged in Lesparre, Saint-Yzan and Prignac-en-Medoc.